Housing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2582: Zoning - As introduced, prohibits the adoption or enforcement of zoning regulations that have the effect of diminishing the value of a property; authorizes property owners to seek compensation for such diminished value. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13, Chapter 7.

SB 2582 prohibits Tennessee local governments from adopting or enforcing zoning changes that reduce a property's value (like restricting building height or density), directly affecting property owners whose land value decreases due to such changes. Property owners can sue for compensation equal to the lost fair market value, calculated through an independent appraisal, or seek to stop the zoning change. Exceptions include regulations needed for public health/safety (e.g., flood zones), federal compliance (like the Fair Housing Act), or preventing nuisances. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires local governments to pay compensation if they fail to provide it before a property owner sues.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts zoning changes that increase housing supply (e.g., density rules) by allowing property owners to sue, hindering affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2607: Taxes, Real Property - As introduced, limits the setting of the tax rate on property by a county, municipality, metropolitan government, or other taxing entity in any fiscal year at a rate that would render in total receipts from all levies an amount more than the receipts from that source from the immediately preceding fiscal year for the county, municipality, metropolitan government, or other taxing jurisdiction, plus an additional 2 percent, subject to certain exceptions; establishes a procedure by which the 2 percent increase may be exceeded by passage of a referendum. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5.

HB 2607 limits annual property tax increases for Tennessee counties, cities, and other local taxing entities. It prevents total property tax revenue from exceeding the previous year's total plus 2%, excluding new construction or properties added to tax rolls. To exceed this 2% limit, local governments must hold a referendum requiring 60% voter approval, specify the funding purpose, and limit increases to four years. The bill applies to all local tax jurisdictions and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts annual property tax increases to 2% without referendum, limiting local government revenue growth and fiscal expansion through tax levies.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingLimits local tax revenue growth (2% cap + referendum), potentially reducing funding for housing programs and affordable housing initiatives, aligning with 'defund' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Property Taxes

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1908: Real Property - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," which entitles a property owner to just compensation from a public entity if the public entity enacts a land use regulation that has the effect of reducing the fair market value of the property. - Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 16.

SB 1908, the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," requires public entities (like cities or counties) to pay property owners just compensation when new land use regulations reduce a property's fair market value. It exempts regulations related to public health/safety (e.g., building codes), federal requirements, or common nuisances. Property owners must submit a written demand within three years of the regulation's enactment and can choose either compensation or a modification of the regulation. This applies to properties acquired after the regulation's adoption, not to pre-existing rules.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill requires compensation for property value loss from land use regulations, potentially deterring zoning reforms that expand housing development and affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Landlords

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2068: Zoning - As introduced, prohibits the adoption or enforcement of zoning regulations that have the effect of diminishing the value of a property; authorizes property owners to seek compensation for such diminished value. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13, Chapter 7.

HB 2068 prohibits Tennessee local governments from adopting or enforcing zoning changes that reduce a property's value ("downzoning"), such as limiting building density, height, or use. Property owners affected by such changes can seek compensation based on an independent appraisal showing the loss in fair market value. Exceptions allow downzoning for health/safety protections (like flood zones), federal law compliance (e.g., ADA), or compatible zoning overlays that don’t reduce residential capacity. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires local governments to pay compensation if they fail to provide it before a property owner sues.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingProhibits downzoning that limits housing development (e.g., density restrictions), protecting property owners over affordable housing access by discouraging local zoning changes that could increase supply.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1771: Zoning - As enacted, authorizes certain counties to adopt a resolution prohibiting a municipality or regional zoning commission from exercising zoning authority outside of the boundaries of the municipality. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

SB 1771 would allow counties with populations under 341,500 (per 2020 census) to prohibit municipalities from enforcing zoning rules outside their city limits. If a county passes a resolution approving this, any existing zoning ordinances applied beyond municipal boundaries become invalid. The bill requires counties to adopt this resolution via majority vote, but does not apply to metropolitan counties or prevent counties/municipalities from making interlocal agreements for ongoing projects. This directly affects local governments' authority over land use planning in unincorporated areas.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts municipal zoning authority outside city limits, limiting housing development options by invalidating existing ordinances beyond municipal boundaries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

died · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1837: Real Property - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," which entitles a property owner to just compensation from a public entity if the public entity enacts a land use regulation that has the effect of reducing the fair market value of the property. - Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 16.

HB 1837, titled the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," entitles property owners to just compensation from public entities when land use regulations (like zoning or development rules) reduce a property’s fair market value. It applies to owners of real property acquired after the regulation’s enactment, requiring public entities to pay compensation equal to the value loss upon written demand. Key exclusions include regulations protecting public health/safety (e.g., fire codes), federal compliance, or common law nuisances, with the public entity bearing the burden to prove exemptions. Owners must file claims within three years of the regulation’s enactment or a related land use application, and can seek attorney fees if compensation isn’t paid within 90 days of demand.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRequires public entities to pay compensation for regulations reducing property value, potentially discouraging zoning policies that promote affordable housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Landlords Zoning

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1916: Taxes, Real Property - As introduced, redefines "movable structure" for purposes of classification and assessment of property so that a mobile home or other movable structure that is used as a residence or apartment must be used permanently as such instead of temporarily or permanently. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5.

SB 1916 redefines "movable structure" in Tennessee's property tax code to require mobile homes used as permanent residences to be classified as such for tax purposes, rather than as temporary structures. This change directly affects mobile home owners who use their units as primary residences, ensuring they are assessed under residential property tax rates. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 67-5-501(7) to specify that mobile homes must be "used permanently as a residence" to qualify for this classification, eliminating prior flexibility for temporary or mixed-use designations. The policy takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026, impacting how these properties are assessed statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReclassifies mobile homes as permanent residences for lower tax rates, providing relief to mobile home owners who use them as primary residences.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingChanges mobile home tax classification to residential rates, potentially increasing costs for permanent residents and reducing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 207: Agriculture, Dept. of - As enacted, establishes a fund for the development and implementation of programs that benefit Tennesseans by preserving farmland and forestland, including a grant program for conservation easements. - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 1, Part 1.

SB 207 creates a new "farmland preservation fund" within Tennessee's state budget to support the long-term protection of agricultural and forested land. The fund provides grants to help farmers and foresters place permanent conservation easements on their property - legal agreements that prevent development while allowing farming or forestry activities. These grants can be awarded directly to landowners or to qualified nonprofit organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups) that hold the easements, with requirements including proof of the easement agreement and ongoing agricultural use. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will manage the fund, and unspent money will carry forward annually instead of reverting to the general budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state budget fund for farmland conservation grants, allocating state resources to preserve agricultural land through program funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSB 207 establishes a farmland preservation fund with grants for conservation easements, directly protecting agricultural/forest land from development and conserving natural resources per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill preserves farmland via conservation easements, restricting land development that could otherwise be used for housing. This limits housing development, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.80% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Conservation Forestry Property Development

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 452: Remedies and Special Proceedings - As introduced, requires that the trial for an unlawful detainer action be held no later than 14 days from the date the plaintiff filed the unlawful detainer motion; limits the scope of a hearing for an unlawful detainer motion based on nonpayment of rent to facts and issues related to nonpayment of rent; makes other changes related to judicial proceedings for unlawful detainer. - Amends TCA Title 29 and Title 66.

HB 452 changes Tennessee's eviction process for cases where a tenant hasn't paid rent. It requires that trials must be held within 14 days of the landlord filing the case and limits hearings to only rent-related issues, such as lease terms and payment history. After a court rules in the landlord's favor, the tenant must move out within seven days of receiving the court order, and the landlord can request immediate sheriff removal if the tenant doesn't comply. This bill affects tenants and landlords facing nonpayment evictions and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill speeds eviction process (14-day trial, 7-day move-out), limits tenant defenses to rent issues only, weakening tenant protections in housing disputes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 636: Regional Authorities and Special Districts - As enacted, enacts the "Real Estate Infrastructure Development Act of 2025." - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 9; Title 12; Title 13; Title 66; Title 67 and Title 68.

HB 636 amends Tennessee law to raise the minimum capital cost requirement for infrastructure development districts from $500,000 to $1,000,000. This change directly affects developers and local governments creating such districts, requiring projects to meet the higher $1 million threshold. The bill modifies specific sections of Tennessee Code (Titles 7, 9, 12, 13, 66, 67, and 68) to reflect this updated cost standard. It does not create new programs or funding but adjusts an existing eligibility requirement for infrastructure districts. The bill became law as Public Chapter 357 on May 13, 2025.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRaises minimum capital cost for infrastructure districts from $500k to $1M, increasing barriers for developers and likely limiting housing development projects by raising entry costs.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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